Two Philippine officials say that American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to boost deterrence despite China’s expressions of alarm.

Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner on Wednesday backed the permanent stationing of a US missile system in his country, after China had warned deployment of the weapon was destabilizing the region.

Range Capability (MRC) launcher developed by the US Army. Courtesy of Capt. Ryan Debooy, US Army MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said he wants the United States’ Typhon midrange capability missile in the Philippines “forever’” as part of the country’s defense.